Speak of the Devil: Difference between revisions

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Another variation is that the villain's name must be said multiple times to summon him. In these cases, saying the name once is safe, so you probably don't need to worry about

summoning him accidentally, or being tricked into doing so (unless you have no idea what's going on and just come across a piece of paper saying "[[Schmuck Bait|Say Hastur 3 times]].") ([[Literal Minded|Okay. "Hastur three times."]]) Instead the villain is essentially [[Sealed Evil in A Can]], and he'll be summoned either by someone who has no idea what's going on, or by someone who got his [[Death By Genre Savviness|tropes mixed up]] and thinks he'll be able to control the villain this way, or at least bargain with him. [[Evil Is Not a Toy|Expect this guy to die horribly.]] Also expect this villain not to disappear.

summoning him accidentally, or being tricked into doing so (unless you have no idea what's going on and just come across a piece of paper saying "[[Schmuck Bait|Say Hastur 3 times]].") ([[Literal Minded|Okay. "Hastur three times."]]) Instead the villain is essentially [[Sealed Evil in a Can]], and he'll be summoned either by someone who has no idea what's going on, or by someone who got his [[Death by Genre Savviness|tropes mixed up]] and thinks he'll be able to control the villain this way, or at least bargain with him. [[Evil Is Not a Toy|Expect this guy to die horribly.]] Also expect this villain not to disappear.

The name comes from the old saying: "Speak of the Devil, and he will appear." Also known as He Who Must Not Be Named.

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If saying the villain's name doesn't necessarily summon him, but may simply cause something bad, that's [[The Scottish Trope]].

If knowing someone's true name instead gives ''you'' power over ''him'', that's [[I Know Your True Name]]. If summoning him is not a bad thing, see [[Call On Me]]. See also [[Inadvertent Entrance Cue]]. When this is done for humor rather than being a supernatural ability, it's [[Right Behind Me]]. Related to the [[Sneeze Cut]]. When this is invoked for a murder, a [[Trouble Magnet Gambit]] is very likely the method used. [[Candle Jack]] was a recent pop culture variation.

If knowing someone's true name instead gives ''you'' power over ''him'', that's [[I Know Your True Name]]. If summoning him is not a bad thing, see [[Call on Me]]. See also [[Inadvertent Entrance Cue]]. When this is done for humor rather than being a supernatural ability, it's [[Right Behind Me]]. Related to the [[Sneeze Cut]]. When this is invoked for a murder, a [[Trouble Magnet Gambit]] is very likely the method used. [[Candle Jack]] was a recent pop culture variation.

== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==

* The Rail Tracer in ''[[~~Baccano (Light Novel)|~~Baccano]]!'' is something of a {{spoiler|''triple''}} subversion. At first, it's pretty obvious that it's a relatively harmless [[Urban Legend]] delivered by two [[Cloudcuckoolander|Cloudcuckoolanders]] and a chirpy train conductor that had the misfortune of coinciding with a train hijack. Then episode 6 rolls along and shows the aforementioned hijackers getting picked off by this...''[[Ultimate Evil|thing]]'', proving that it just might be [[Real After All]]. And then comes the [[Wham! Episode]] (Let's just say that {{spoiler|it's a ''really'' bad idea to give the aforementioned chirpy train conductor/part-time [[Psycho for Hire]] a reason for a [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge]]}})...

* The Rail Tracer in ''[[Baccano]]!'' is something of a {{spoiler|''triple''}} subversion. At first, it's pretty obvious that it's a relatively harmless [[Urban Legend]] delivered by two [[Cloudcuckoolander|Cloudcuckoolanders]] and a chirpy train conductor that had the misfortune of coinciding with a train hijack. Then episode 6 rolls along and shows the aforementioned hijackers getting picked off by this...''[[Ultimate Evil|thing]]'', proving that it just might be [[Real After All]]. And then comes the [[Wham! Episode]] (Let's just say that {{spoiler|it's a ''really'' bad idea to give the aforementioned chirpy train conductor/part-time [[Psycho for Hire]] a reason for a [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge]]}})...

* A subversion and running gag on ''[[Dinosaur King]]'': Ursula always knows when someone calls her an "old lady" no matter where they are in the world and immediately, and loudly, takes exception. She won't know ''where'' you are, much less be teleported there, but she will be pretty P.O.'ed when she meets up with you. This was once used to determine if the [[Terrible Trio|Alpha Gang]] was in the area.

* In ''[[The End of Evangelion]]'', the JSSDF begin an assault on NERV HQ, and one of the [[Bridge Bunnies]], Makoto Hyuga, states that he hopes they don't use non-nuclear mines. In the English dub, at least, Shigeru Aoba gives a [[Title Drop]] of this trope when the inevitable happens.

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''(the JSSDF begins a [[Macross Missile Massacre]] on the Geofront)'' }}

** "It would be disastrous if an Angel turned up right now."

* In ''[[~~Ranma One Half (Anime)|~~Ranma ½]]'', [[Old Master|Happ]][[Dirty Old Man|osai's]] name is treated as an invocation that will summon him. Seems to work that way, too, at least part of the time.

* In ''[[Ranma ½]]'', [[Old Master|Happ]][[Dirty Old Man|osai's]] name is treated as an invocation that will summon him. Seems to work that way, too, at least part of the time.

== [[Comic Books]] ==

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* In Brazilian comic [[Monica's Gang]], two characters have it: [[Grim Reaper|Lady]] [[Don't Fear the Reaper|McDeath]] appears whenever someone says "death" or something related to the verb "die"; and whenever something absurd occurs and someone asks "who would be nutty enough..." Nutty Ned appears.

* A more down-to-earth version of this is used for humor and to get around a real-world problem in [[G.I. Joe|the G.I. Joe comics]]. Hasbro created a character named Ghostrider, who is a stealth pilot. Nobody noticed that there was already a character in Marvel Comics with [[Ghost Rider|almost the exact same name]] before the figure went into production. Larry Hama worked around the issue by writing the character as being so stealthy that even his own teammates ''could never remember his codename''.

* In [[Zot~~|Zot!~~]] the [[Psycho for Hire|assassin-for-hire]] 9-Jack-9 can be summoned by typing his name (actually spelled J9AC9K) into any computer terminal. Every single reader has tried it at least once... or considered it and then [[Nightmare Fuel|chickened out]].

* In [[Zot]] the [[Psycho for Hire|assassin-for-hire]] 9-Jack-9 can be summoned by typing his name (actually spelled J9AC9K) into any computer terminal. Every single reader has tried it at least once... or considered it and then [[Nightmare Fuel|chickened out]].

* In an issue of [[Wolverine]], it was revealed that perennial [[X-Men]] villain Spiral is aware (or alerted) whenever anyone anywhere mentions her. She used this to track Wolverine and Mystique, the latter of whom could not spit out the warning in time.

== [[Film]] ==

* ''[[~~Beetlejuice (Film)|~~Beetlejuice]]'' is summoned by saying his name [[Rule of Three|3 times]].

* ''[[Beetlejuice]]'' is summoned by saying his name [[Rule of Three|3 times]].

** He's also sent back whence he came by saying his name three times.

** The full rhymes (from [[Beetlejuice (~~Animation~~)|the cartoon]], at least), though rarely used, go:

** The full rhymes (from [[Beetlejuice (animation)|the cartoon]], at least), though rarely used, go:

{{quote| ''Even though I should be wary''<br />

''Still I conjure something scary''<br />

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:::when Lydia wants to enter the Neitherworld.:

** ''Community'' used this for a [http://youtu.be/19FMU3M7Jtk stealth gag] that ran over the course of three years. Watch behind Annie at the end of the clip.

* The ''[[~~Candyman (Film)|~~Candyman]]'' horror films: A tortured murderous spirit is summoned by saying "Candyman" five times in front of a mirror.

* The ''[[Candyman]]'' horror films: A tortured murderous spirit is summoned by saying "Candyman" five times in front of a mirror.

** This hearkens back to the childhood myth of Bloody Mary.

* In the [[V for Vendetta]] film, {{spoiler|Lewis Prothero}} is listening to a recording in which he talks about V (specifically about how he wishes he could fight him man to man) only for a [[Mirror Scare]] to reveal V standing there. Just for clarification, there is nothing magical in this case, and it is just a coincidence (or possibly the ever-theatrical V was waiting for the perfect moment,) but [[Oh Crap|the look on the man's face suggests it might as well have been this trope.]]

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** In a more benign case, house elves automatically Apparate to the location of their owner when their name is called, regardless of any curses or protective magic that should prevent them.

* In the ''[[Young Wizards]]'' series, speaking any of the Lone Power's nicknames has the danger of drawing Its attention. Even ''thinking'' its [[I Know Your True Name|true name]] is ''guaranteed'' to get Its attention unless something is keeping It distracted.

* In the [[Discworld]] book ''[[Discworld ~~(Literature)~~/Lords and Ladies|Lords and Ladies]]'', it is mentioned that mentioning the Elves by name can draw their attention and even help them cross over from Fairyland, especially around certain times of year when crop circles appear. For this reason, the witches of Lancre refer to them by various pseudonyms (such as the Gentry, or the Lords and Ladies), and only feel (barely) comfortable saying their name aloud when in the presence of lots of iron.

* In the [[Discworld]] book ''[[Discworld/Lords and Ladies|Lords and Ladies]]'', it is mentioned that mentioning the Elves by name can draw their attention and even help them cross over from Fairyland, especially around certain times of year when crop circles appear. For this reason, the witches of Lancre refer to them by various pseudonyms (such as the Gentry, or the Lords and Ladies), and only feel (barely) comfortable saying their name aloud when in the presence of lots of iron.

*** Although if you're close enough to a portal even these pseudonyms will draw them.

*** This is actually based on old folk beliefs; there's a reason the trope's called [[The Fair Folk]].

** Another [[Discworld]] example is Igor (any Igor). When the master calls him, Igor will appear directly behind to answer. Makes no difference if Igor was in the basement or on the roof at the time, somehow he will also be out of sight behind his master when the master calls. Just part of the Igor service package.

** Yet another [[Discworld]] example, especially in the early books such as ''[[Discworld ~~(Literature)~~/The Colour of Magic|The Colour of Magic]]'', was never mentioning the true name of The Lady, the Goddess Who Must Not Be Named, which is {{spoiler|Lady Luck}}. An inversion, since she's the only goddess who only comes when ''not'' called and flees when mentioned. The Discworld Companion adds that the Gamblers' Guild once tried worshipping her, and the result was that the building exploded. Not so surprising, since it is later established that Gambler's guild is always right across the street from Alchemist guild...

** Yet another [[Discworld]] example, especially in the early books such as ''[[Discworld/The Colour of Magic|The Colour of Magic]]'', was never mentioning the true name of The Lady, the Goddess Who Must Not Be Named, which is {{spoiler|Lady Luck}}. An inversion, since she's the only goddess who only comes when ''not'' called and flees when mentioned. The Discworld Companion adds that the Gamblers' Guild once tried worshipping her, and the result was that the building exploded. Not so surprising, since it is later established that Gambler's guild is always right across the street from Alchemist guild...

** Inverted with the Auditors, which are [[Too Dumb to Live|instantly destroyed]] if they refer to ''themselves'' in the first-person singular.

** Wizards are forbidden from saying the number eight because it draws the attention of the [[Eldritch Abomination]] Bel-Shamharoth, the Sender of Eight.

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* A rather literal variant in the ''[[Thursday Next]]'' series, [[Religious and Mythological Theme Naming|Acheron Hades]] can hear his name if it's spoken within a hundred-mile radius.

* In the [[David Drake]] fantasy novel ''The Sea Hag'', [[The Hero]] is able to defeat the villain by tricking him into naming Serdic, his [[Old Master|old (dead) master]]...who then promptly appears and drags the villain away to a [[Nightmare Fuel]] fate, [[Chekhov's Gun|since he had promised the hero earlier this would happen the next time he was named]].

* In ''Snakecharm'', the second of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' [[Kiesha Ra]] series, an unfortunate falcon, masquerading as a serpent, asks Zane if the falcons' ambassador, Syfka, is in town. Syfka pops up almost immediately, telling the rogue falcon "You were foolish enough to use my name, not once, but ''twice.''" The "...And then you're in deep trouble" aspect is subverted, as Syfka gets into a heated argument with Zane, and when she turns around a moment later, everyone realizes that the man who said his name had run away during the argument.

* In ''Snakecharm'', the second of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' [[Kiesha'ra]] series, an unfortunate falcon, masquerading as a serpent, asks Zane if the falcons' ambassador, Syfka, is in town. Syfka pops up almost immediately, telling the rogue falcon "You were foolish enough to use my name, not once, but ''twice.''" The "...And then you're in deep trouble" aspect is subverted, as Syfka gets into a heated argument with Zane, and when she turns around a moment later, everyone realizes that the man who said his name had run away during the argument.

* In ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'', [[Magnificent Bastard|Cao Cao]] had a tendency to show up whenever his name was being mentioned - so the saying goes, "Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao is at the gates." Ironically, at one point, this was happening to the man himself - everytime he [[Tempting Fate|tempted fate]] by mentioning some character on the opposing side, that man would shortly show up.

* In [[John C Wright]]'s ''[[~~Chronicles of Chaos (Literature)|~~Chronicles of Chaos]]'', Echinda can detect anyone saying her name; the children resort to refering to "the fishmonger."

* In [[John C. Wright]]'s ''[[Chronicles of Chaos]]'', Echinda can detect anyone saying her name; the children resort to refering to "the fishmonger."

* Similar to the ''[[The Sandman|Sandman]]'' example above in the ''[[Percy Jackson and The Olympians]]'' series by Rick Riodan, the use names of various mythological figures or places causes bad things like thunder and darkening of the skies to happen, so the characters tend to avoid using them.

** It's stated that this is because it gets their attention, and the lightning is only if they're upset with you.

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* In ''Jack of Shadows'', by [[Roger Zelazny]], Jack's powers include the ability to hear any person who speaks his name in shadow, and to continue listening in until they move out of it.

* [[Jack Chalker]]'s ''The Changewinds'' begins with the female protagonists learning that they are being threatened by an evil wizard. A mercenary to whom was entrusted the girls' safety decides that the villain is likely to pay better and attempts to attract his attention by saying his name now and then. The girls, discovering this, try to call on the wizard who brought them to this world by saying his name over and over. Of course, with a name like "Boolean", the girls just wound up giggling after a while. It should be noted that neither wizard was summoned, no matter how much their names were dropped.

* In [[Robert E Howard]]'s [[Conan the Barbarian]] novel ''The Hour of the Dragon'', Zenobia fears it, even though it's a man being spoken of.

* In [[Robert E. Howard]]'s [[Conan the Barbarian]] novel ''The Hour of the Dragon'', Zenobia fears it, even though it's a man being spoken of.

{{quote| ''"Do not speak of him!" she whispered. "Demons are often summoned by the sound of their names.''}}

* The Bloody Mary version is weaponized in Seanan McGuire's short story [http://www.apexbookcompany.com/2010/04/short-story-dying-with-her-cheer-pants-on-by-seanan-mcguire/ Dying With Her Cheer Pants On]

* Nearly used in the [[Solomon Kane]] story The Blue Flame of Vengeance, except that Solomon shows up right as the Fishhawk is about to say his name.

* In [[The ~~King Killer~~ Chronicle]], the Chandrian can tell when and where their name is spoken.

* In [[The Kingkiller Chronicle]], the Chandrian can tell when and where their name is spoken.

* In ''The Empire of the East'', the arch-wizard Wood (itself an alias) is too afraid to say the demon-prince [[Big Bad|Orcus']] name, or even think it. He still proposes to [[Sealed Evil in A Can|release him]], though.

* In ''The Empire of the East'', the arch-wizard Wood (itself an alias) is too afraid to say the demon-prince [[Big Bad|Orcus']] name, or even think it. He still proposes to [[Sealed Evil in a Can|release him]], though.

* In The ''[[~~Griffins~~ Daughter]] Trilogy'', the Nameless One's true name had been stricken from elven records and lore, to keep others from trying to invoke [[I Know Your True Name]] and claim the Nameless One's power, either becoming as big a threat as The Nameless One or inadvertently resurrecting him.

* In The ''[[Griffin's Daughter]] Trilogy'', the Nameless One's true name had been stricken from elven records and lore, to keep others from trying to invoke [[I Know Your True Name]] and claim the Nameless One's power, either becoming as big a threat as The Nameless One or inadvertently resurrecting him.

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* The [[Monty Python's Flying Circus|Spanish Inquisition]], whom nobody expects.

* "Say my name and I appear. Why have you summoned [[Power Rangers|Quagmire]] here?"

* In an early episode of ''[[Supernatural (TV)|Supernatural]]'', the boys fight Bloody Mary. Needless to say, this trope comes into effect. {{spoiler|They use it to defeat her, by summoning her and smashing the mirror.}}

* In an early episode of ''[[Supernatural (TV series)|Supernatural]]'', the boys fight Bloody Mary. Needless to say, this trope comes into effect. {{spoiler|They use it to defeat her, by summoning her and smashing the mirror.}}

** {{spoiler|Actually, smashing the mirror lets her out. The boys finish her off by getting her to look into a mirror and letting her own reflection turn her powers on her and destroy her}}.

* ''[[Good Eats]]''; not a villain but a [[Running Gag]]:

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* Rick and Neil on ''[[The Young Ones]]'' once summoned the demon Futumsch to their flat by saying his name, which had been printed in a newspaper article for no readily-apparent reason. Not that they ever noticed Futumsch was there, mind...

* In Brazilian sitcom ''Toma Lá, Dá Cá'', whenever the apartment manager's name is mentioned, she knocks at the door and comes in. At a certain point of the show, the [[Genre Savvy]] characters would try to stop whenever someone started saying her name.

* In ''[[~~Scrubs (TV)|~~Scrubs]]'' mentioning "Johnny the tackling Alzheimer's patient" will result in JD being tackled by Johnny at least once that episode.

* In ''[[Scrubs]]'' mentioning "Johnny the tackling Alzheimer's patient" will result in JD being tackled by Johnny at least once that episode.

* The ''[[Tales ~~From the Darkside (TV)|Tales From~~ the Darkside]]'' episode "Seasons of Belief" has a couple on Christmas Eve telling their kids the story of a monster who's so full of himself, if he hears anyone say his name, his ears will transform into wings and he'll hunt them down and squeeze the life from them, (often while singing a song about himself). Supposedly, the only way to get rid of him is to finish telling the story about him. {{spoiler|The parents stop to assure their kids that it's just a story and that there's nothing to be afraid of. The monster takes this moment to reach inside the house and crush the skulls of the parents, (though curiously leaves the children alone, despite them all having said his name). In the short story the episode was based on, the monster was implied to have killed everyone.}}

* The ''[[Tales from the Darkside]]'' episode "Seasons of Belief" has a couple on Christmas Eve telling their kids the story of a monster who's so full of himself, if he hears anyone say his name, his ears will transform into wings and he'll hunt them down and squeeze the life from them, (often while singing a song about himself). Supposedly, the only way to get rid of him is to finish telling the story about him. {{spoiler|The parents stop to assure their kids that it's just a story and that there's nothing to be afraid of. The monster takes this moment to reach inside the house and crush the skulls of the parents, (though curiously leaves the children alone, despite them all having said his name). In the short story the episode was based on, the monster was implied to have killed everyone.}}

* WWF/E wrestler [[The Undertaker]] does a very [[Candle Jack]]-ish variation of this. Basically, if his name is brou

** Sorry about that; the previous troper should have known better. As he was saying, if his name is brought up in an offensive way while he's around (or even if he isn't), a gong will sound, and the lights will go off. Then he will appear behind the offender and usually chokeslam or Tombstone Piledrive them to the mat.

** Sometimes, Taker's name doesn't even need to be spoken -- as heel manager Paul Heyman learned at the end of a Smackdown match, just telling someone that "[[Tempting Fate|there's not a man alive who's going to stand in my way]]" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KfOIr1HGtc can be enough to bring the Deadman's wrath down on you].

* In [[Raising Hope]], the Dog-Head Man knows when people are talking about him. At least, according to Jimmy.

* In ''[[Nikita (TV)|Nikita]]'', [[Techno Wizard|Birkhoff]] gets an alert whenever anybody online runs a search on his name.

* In ''[[Nikita (TV series)|Nikita]]'', [[Techno Wizard|Birkhoff]] gets an alert whenever anybody online runs a search on his name.

* In [[The Muppets]] Valentine's Special and [[The Muppet Show]], mentioning any term for exploding or bomb and [[Mad Bomber|Crazy Harry]] will appear, detonation plunger in hand and BOOM! Kermit once had the misfortune of causing this ''three times in a row'' on the [[Ben Vereen]] episode.

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** Depending on how strict their adherence to the 3rd Commandment is, some people refrain from saying God's name as well, though that's less out of fear of summoning Him (seeing as He's already, you know, omnipresent) and more because to do otherwise is seen as blasphemous.

* Various old folklore: Not only the Devil, as mentioned above, but [[Romance of the Three Kingdoms|Cao Cao]] in Chinese folklore, wolves in France, and various predators in various places.

** An especially interesting case is [[Everything's Worse ~~With~~ Bears|bears]]. "Bear" is itself a euphemism for the creature, a word (meaning "the brown one") used instead of their name to avoid drawing their attention. The substitution happened so long ago that we have no idea what the real name was though.

** An especially interesting case is [[Everything's Worse with Bears|bears]]. "Bear" is itself a euphemism for the creature, a word (meaning "the brown one") used instead of their name to avoid drawing their attention. The substitution happened so long ago that we have no idea what the real name was though.

*** Actually, we sort of do. Based on reconstructed Indo-European, the old Germanic word for bear would be "''urþaz''" (or something similar, from Proto-Indo-European ''hrtkós''); given that the current word in English has cognates in the other Germanic languages (for instance, the German "Bär"), the change probably occurred at the proto-Germanic stage, and the ancestors of the original English speakers stopped using the old word.

*** Similarly, the Slavic term for a bear is ''medved'', meaning "one who knows where the honey is." Which itself has been known to get substituted with euphemisms like "furry one".

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== [[Tabletop RPG]] ==

* ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'': In early editions, saying the name of a demon could cause it to turn its attention to the speaker and attack him if possible, and speaking the name of a devil (which was inscribed on its talisman) would call forth that devil. And although they aren't villains, in the "[[Forgotten Realms]]" campaign setting, saying the name of any of the Seven Sisters would allow them to hear the next nine words uttered by the speaker.

** 3.5 has Truenaming, which around level 18 gives a feat that allows a character to do this with a use-name of their choice. Speaking the use-name, afterward, allows the character to know where you are, what the general situation is, and lets them decide whether or not to be teleported into the area. Depending on the character in question, this can either be an example of this trope, or [[Call On Me]]. Or, in some cases, both at once.

** 3.5 has Truenaming, which around level 18 gives a feat that allows a character to do this with a use-name of their choice. Speaking the use-name, afterward, allows the character to know where you are, what the general situation is, and lets them decide whether or not to be teleported into the area. Depending on the character in question, this can either be an example of this trope, or [[Call on Me]]. Or, in some cases, both at once.

** Also from ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'': any good or neutral creature that speaks Pazuzu's name three times will catch his attention. He sometimes offers to aid such a creature if they're in trouble... but accepting a boon from a demon lord [[The Dark Side|is guaranteed to pull you into evil]].

*** No, just towards Chaos. Evil is only <s> eventual</s> inevitable.

**** also in the 3.X Deities and Demigods Handbook it states that Deities are generally aware if anyone says their name, anywhere or any of their common titles. This generally won't summon the deity to you of course, but that does make it hard to mount an assault on the gods....

** One DnD sourcebook (likely ''The Book of Vile Darkness'') relates the story of a particularly huge prick of a merchant who would take advantage of this rule by selling a parrot to rich-looking individuals. When they got out of town and onto a deserted stretch of road, their new pet would fly away and start shrieking the name of Orcus--a freaking [[Evil Overlord|demon lord]]--who would appear and murder the poor saps. After Orcus had teleported back to the Abyss, the merchant would then gather up his dead victims' gear. That he would pull this trick repeatedly says something horrible about the merchant and a little pathetic about Orcus, who apparently has a lot of free time on his hands.

** [[Orcus On His Throne|Well, he does just sit around on his throne all day.]]

** [[Orcus on His Throne|Well, he does just sit around on his throne all day.]]

** [[Fridge Logic|Why]] doesn't Orcus kill the parrot?

*** Because if he does, Demogorgon will begin reciting the [[Monty Python's Flying Circus|dead parrot sketch]] at him.

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** Although its been referenced in several other tropes, the legend of the Serpent's Coil still (sort of) counts. A 2nd edition myth that made it into 3.0 before being retconned out at the end of 3.5, the myth went that Asmodeus, the king of Hell, was actually a very advanced illusion or perhaps an avatar of some sort; his ''true'' shape was a [[Eldritch Abomination|miles-long monstrosity of utter, incomprehensible evil]]. When he was hurled from the celestial planes into Hell, this form crashed through the dimension's reality - creating the nine levels of Hell - and came to rest in a deep, spiraling crater at the very bottom of The Pit. In an aversion of this trope however, telling someone this story didn't summon Asmodeus: it simply caused the storyteller to die within 24 hours (by unspecified means). Which is about on par for drawing the attention of overwhelmingly powerful evil uberdeities.

** [[Points of Light]] has an interesting reversal. The god that Asmodeus rebelled against in this setting is known only as "He Who Was". This is because Asmodeus literally [[Unperson|erased all record and memory]] of the deity's name from history, fearing that if it was spoken just once, the slain god would regain his powers.

* [[Kibo]], mentioned below in the [[Real Life]] section, was used by ''[[~~Mage: The Ascension (Tabletop Game)|~~Mage: The Ascension]]''. In the digital web, he set up magic tracers so whenever anyone said his name, he would instantly be able to appear, as a real person, in front of them.

* [[Kibo]], mentioned below in the [[Real Life]] section, was used by ''[[Mage: The Ascension]]''. In the digital web, he set up magic tracers so whenever anyone said his name, he would instantly be able to appear, as a real person, in front of them.

* The Antediluvians in ''[[~~Vampire: The Masquerade (Tabletop Game)|~~Vampire: The Masquerade]]'' are like this, or at least their vampiric descendants are afraid that they might be. At various points, it comes up that the names we have for them aren't their real names, just pseudonyms that are used to refer to them without the possibility of drawing their attention via [[Speak of the Devil]].

* The Antediluvians in ''[[Vampire: The Masquerade]]'' are like this, or at least their vampiric descendants are afraid that they might be. At various points, it comes up that the names we have for them aren't their real names, just pseudonyms that are used to refer to them without the possibility of drawing their attention via [[Speak of the Devil]].

** It also shows up in ''[[~~Demon: The Fallen (Tabletop Game)|~~Demon: The Fallen]]''. Using a demon's Celestial Name automatically opens a remote channel of communication with them; use it unaware of that connection, and they'll be listening to everything you say...

** It also shows up in ''[[Demon: The Fallen]]''. Using a demon's Celestial Name automatically opens a remote channel of communication with them; use it unaware of that connection, and they'll be listening to everything you say...

* ''[[Call of Cthulhu]]'' supplement ''Terror Australis'', adventure "Old Fella That Bunyip". The investigators are forced to say the phrase "Eleanba Wunda" to drive Bunyip upstream. Unfortunately for them, it's the name of a spirit ''worse'' than Bunyip, which will appear if its name is chanted too often. The second time the investigators do so they feel a cold wind, and the third (and final) time Eleanba Wunda ''almost'' appears.

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* In the ''[[Devil May Cry]]'' series, the ruler of the underworld and [[Big Bad]] of the first game is named "Mundus". Oddly, he is almost never referred to by name in other products, either being referred to as "the Devil King" or "the Devil Emperor".

* Parodied (and used) in ''[[Kingdom of Loathing]]'': if you select 'Say "Guy Made Of Bees"' five times as a choice when you encounter a bathroom mirror, you will encounter the Guy Made Of Bees. And unless you have a certain in-game item and use it in the first round of combat, the Guy Made Of Bees will hit you with as much force as the Incredible Hulk's weight in bees.

* During a perfect [[Pacifist Run]] in ''[[~~Iji (Video Game)|~~Iji]]', [[General Ripper|Elite Krotera]] will mention [[Punch Clock Villain|Vateilika]] and how he'll deal with her after you're dead. He really should have spent the time saying goodbye to Mr. [[BFG|MPFB Devastator]], as his flight off this mortal coil just arrived.

* During a perfect [[Pacifist Run]] in ''[[Iji]]', [[General Ripper|Elite Krotera]] will mention [[Punch Clock Villain|Vateilika]] and how he'll deal with her after you're dead. He really should have spent the time saying goodbye to Mr. [[BFG|MPFB Devastator]], as his flight off this mortal coil just arrived.

* In ''[[Ultima V]]'', the Shadowlords could be summoned to your location by yelling their name (Eg, Yell Astaroth).

* [[Gaia Online]] NPCs sometimes comment their own fanthreads during events. One wonders what they make of all the dirty-minded fans.

* A possible inversion of this trope (overlapping in aspects with [[I Know Your True Name]]) occurs in ''[[Breath of Fire]] IV''. Along with straight treatment of [[I Know Your True Name]], General Yohm hunts down [[Woobie, Destroyer of Worlds|Fou-lu]]--even at one point explicitly commenting that ''the mere act of uttering Fou-lu's '''name''' is sufficient to send ripples in the world that can lead someone sensitive to those ripples to find him''. (Yes, this is justified--Fou-lu is not only a [[God-Emperor]] but a rare case of a [[Physical God]] that was explicitly summoned to be the [[King in ~~The~~ Mountain]] of a dying empire.)

* A possible inversion of this trope (overlapping in aspects with [[I Know Your True Name]]) occurs in ''[[Breath of Fire]] IV''. Along with straight treatment of [[I Know Your True Name]], General Yohm hunts down [[Woobie, Destroyer of Worlds|Fou-lu]]--even at one point explicitly commenting that ''the mere act of uttering Fou-lu's '''name''' is sufficient to send ripples in the world that can lead someone sensitive to those ripples to find him''. (Yes, this is justified--Fou-lu is not only a [[God-Emperor]] but a rare case of a [[Physical God]] that was explicitly summoned to be the [[King in the Mountain]] of a dying empire.)

** A straighter version ALSO exists. In a part of the game, Fou-lu refrains from revealing his name to [[Sacrificial Lamb|Mami]] explicitly to keep this from happening, and merely goes by his nickname "Ryong"--this eventually gets blown to hell when he tells her his story via a historical legend (and HAS to use his [[I Know Your True Name|real name]] in it).

* In ''[[Runescape]]'', saying {{spoiler|Zaros}}'s name (how fun, the fact he ''exists'' is a spoiler) gives him power. He's weakened that much - in fact, most NPCs (and other Gods) refer to him as "The Nameless God".

* In ''[[Red Dead Redemption]]'' people who usually play free roam with their friends, have probably encountered a cougar. Because of that it's common to hear someone mention a cougar (example: 'Did I just hear a cougar?') and see or hear their demise. It gets better when you are in areas of the map where cougars never should/usually spawn, and you hear someone mentioning it. [[Hilarity Ensues]].

* In ''[[~~Dead Space 2 (Video Game)|~~Dead Space 2]]'', {{spoiler|Ellie mentions near the end of Chapter 10 that you luckily won't have to go through the Medical Bay, where the Necromorphs are coming from. Immediately after she says this, the computer voice indicates there is an obstruction ahead, and shuts down at where else but the Medical Bay.}}

* In ''[[Dead Space 2]]'', {{spoiler|Ellie mentions near the end of Chapter 10 that you luckily won't have to go through the Medical Bay, where the Necromorphs are coming from. Immediately after she says this, the computer voice indicates there is an obstruction ahead, and shuts down at where else but the Medical Bay.}}

* Liquid Snake from ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]'' is a variation: His real name isn't stated not due to fear of him being summoned, but rather because the SAS and the US Government had highly classified his real name to the extent that not even someone within the highest rank of the command pyramid is allowed to know it, as mentioned by Roy Campbell.

* [[Neverwinter Nights 2]] inverts this initially, when an [[Affably Evil]] devil willingly tells you [[I Know Your True Name|his true name]] so you can banish him back to Hell. Later played straight when knowing his true name from your previous meeting with him lets you summon him for a [[Deal ~~With~~ the Devil]].

* [[Neverwinter Nights 2]] inverts this initially, when an [[Affably Evil]] devil willingly tells you [[I Know Your True Name|his true name]] so you can banish him back to Hell. Later played straight when knowing his true name from your previous meeting with him lets you summon him for a [[Deal with the Devil]].

* In the ''[[Discworld]]'' adventure game, saying the word "monkey" will cause the Librarian to appear and punch you, because he is an ''ape'' and does ''not'' like the M-word. This is occasionally mentioned in the books, but the game turns it into a [[Running Gag]] instead.

== [[Web Comics]] ==

* [http://www.wanderingchaos.com/uc/110707.html This creature] (well, the creature this demon is shapeshifted into) in ''UC: Deviating from Normality''.

* [http://xkcd.com/555/ This] [[~~Xkcd (Webcomic)|~~Xkcd]] strip features an abuse of Bloody Mary. Explaining it would ruin the joke.

* [http://xkcd.com/555/ This] [[Xkcd]] strip features an abuse of Bloody Mary. Explaining it would ruin the joke.

* Don't say Ironman in Austin, TX as shown why in [[Rooster Teeth]]'s webcomics, Michael "Burnie" Burns will be groundpounded.

* In ''[[Order of the Stick]]'', saying "mind flayer" or "illithid" will bring down copyright lawyers upon the speaker. Actually, pointing out ''any'' copyrighted material can do this, as Vaarsuvius realizes to his advantage when confronting [[Overused Copycat Character|a (supposedly good-aligned) drow wizard armed with two swords.]]

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* Fooby, the Kamikaze Watermelon, appears in ''[[The Demented Cartoon Movie]]'' every time someone says "kamikaze watermelon."

* It is [[Wild Mass Guessing|theorised]] that [[Slender Man]] might have these properties; other theories state that you can only see him if you know about him. [[Oh Crap|So if you've read this example...]]

* ''[[~~Asdfmovie|~~asdfmovie]]'': I like trains. *hit by a train*

* ''[[asdfmovie]]'': I like trains. *hit by a train*

** Pianos! *[[Piano Drop]]* Whose idea was this?!

* The [[Binder of Shame]]; El Disgusto's character is caught stealing from the other characters and killed. His last words are "You'll pay for this! You'll all pay for this! Hastur! Hastur! Hastur! Hastur! Hastur!" Fortunately (or unfortunately as it turns out), the wizard NPC resurrects the group.

* The Makeover Fairy from [[~~The Nostalgia Chick (Web Video)|~~The Nostalgia Chick]] can do this, appearing in a puff of sparkleswhenever somebody says her name. Either it's a new ability or the others didn't know about it yet, since at one point Chick comments that she wasn't sure if it would work.

* The Makeover Fairy from [[The Nostalgia Chick]] can do this, appearing in a puff of sparkleswhenever somebody says her name. Either it's a new ability or the others didn't know about it yet, since at one point Chick comments that she wasn't sure if it would work.

** Earlier in the show's run, [[~~The Nostalgia Critic (Web Video)|~~The Nostalgia Critic]] appeared to bitch her out for reviewing ''[[Transformers]]'' when she said the word "manchild".

** Earlier in the show's run, [[The Nostalgia Critic]] appeared to bitch her out for reviewing ''[[Transformers]]'' when she said the word "manchild".

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** ''[[Freakazoid]]'' also spoofed this in a [[Credits Gag]]: "Interesting Fact: If you spin around while saying '[[Gag Words|Huggbees]]' three times real quick, [[wikipedia:Pierre Salinger|Pierre Salinger]] will appear. Only he'll have... a beard!"

* In a ''[[South Park]]'' episode, saying Biggie Smalls' name three times while looking into a mirror will summon his ghost, which really pisses him off when he's got things to do.

* In ''[[Harvey Birdman Attorney At Law]]'', saying Mentok the Mind Taker's real name, Mufti, summons powerful magical winds.

* In ''[[Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law]]'', saying Mentok the Mind Taker's real name, Mufti, summons powerful magical winds.

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** [[Troy Hickman]] on the ''[[City of Heroes]]'' official forums prides himself on it.

* Twitter codifies this, providing you a whole new tab for when your @username appears in someone else's tweet.

* An [[The Angry Video Game Nerd ~~(Web Video)~~|AVGN]] ripoff, who shall remain nameless; he Googles his name and [[Small Name, Big Ego|flips out at those who don't love his stuff]] and [[Shameless Self Promoter|proceeds to plug his links]].

* An [[The Angry Video Game Nerd|AVGN]] ripoff, who shall remain nameless; he Googles his name and [[Small Name, Big Ego|flips out at those who don't love his stuff]] and [[Shameless Self Promoter|proceeds to plug his links]].

* The Chinese general Cao Cao (3rd century AD) was so well known for his rapid marches, the Chinese term for this trope since the time was "Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao will appear." (And this was ''way'' before he could Google it. Impressive.)

* A once-popular internet meme says this of [[Candle Jack]], who kidnaps whoever speaks his name.